Ostrava Region Research Articles

Research of Employee Benefits in the Ostrava Region / Výzkum Zaměstnaneckých Výhod Na Ostravsku

Abstract The article deals with the issues of employee benefits that influence employee motivation. Thus they participate not only in creating preconditions for company competitiveness, but also in proper running the company and/or return on investments into employees. In relation to the given questions, selected motivation theories and results of some sociological surveys connected with these problems are characterised briefly in the article as well. The focus of the article is the research into employee benefits in the Ostrava region. The authors of the article paid particular attention to the kinds of benefits provided to employees most frequently at present and how these benefits are perceived by employees themselves

ADAPTIVE RESPONSE TO HIGH EXPOSURE OF CARCINOGENIC POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

Background and Aims: Ostrava Region in the Northern Moravia (Silesia) is the most polluted region in the Czech Republic by carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) as benzo[a]pyrene (...

E03 Mineral association, composition and trace elements in urinary calculi in Ostrava region patients from 1978 to 2010

E03 Mineral association, composition and trace elements in urinary calculi in Ostrava region patients from 1978 to 2010

Novel Technique of Active Biomonitoring Introduced in the Czech Republic: Bioaccumulation of Atmospheric Trace Metals in two moss species / Nová Metoda Aktivního Biomonitoringu Zavedená V České Republice: Bioakumulace Stopových Kovů V Atmosféře U Dvou Druhů Mechů

Abstract A biomonitoring technique never before used in the Czech Republic was used to test its validity and applicability in the region of Ostrava that is eminently affected by industry. Transplants of two moss species Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi were exposed to atmospheric pollution using the technique of an “irrigated moss bag” placed at a height of both 1 m and 2 m above ground. The samples were then analysed for concentration levels of trace elements Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, V and Zn. The patterns of bioaccumulation in general show that Hylocomium splendens is more suitable for monitoring purposes and that 2 m height above ground of transplants should be preferred.

Expression of XRCC5 in peripheral blood lymphocytes is upregulated in subjects from a heavily polluted region in the Czech Republic

Air pollution causes oxidative damage to macromolecules, chromosomal aberrations and changes in gene expression. We investigated the levels of oxidative stress markers [8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), 15-F 2t-isoprostane (15-F2t-IsoP), protein carbonyls] and cytogenetic parameters [genomic frequency of translocations ( F G/100), percentage of aberrant cells (%AB.C.) and acentric fragments (ace)] in subjects living in Prague and in the heavily polluted Ostrava region. We also compared the expression of genes participating in base excision repair (BER) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). We analyzed 64 subjects from Prague and 75 subjects from Ostrava. We measured oxidative stress markers by ELISA, cytogenetic parameters by fluorescence in situ hybridization and gene expression by quantitative PCR. The levels of air pollutants (benzo[a]pyrene, B[a]P; carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, c-PAHs; benzene) measured by personal monitors were significantly elevated in Ostrava compared to Prague ( p < 0.001). Despite this fact, we observed no differences in biomarkers of oxidative stress between the two locations. Moreover, subjects from Ostrava were less likely to have above-median levels of %AB.C. (OR; 95% CI: 0.18; 0.05–0.67; p = 0.010). Multivariate analyses revealed that subjects living in Ostrava had increased odds of having above-median levels of XRCC5 expression (OR; 95% CI: 3.33; 1.03–10.8; q = 0.046). Above-median levels of 8-oxodG were associated with decreased levels of vitamins C (OR; 95% CI: 0.37; 0.16–0.83; p = 0.016) and E (OR; 95% CI: 0.25; 0.08–0.75; p = 0.013), which were elevated in subjects from Ostrava. We suggest that air pollution by c-PAHs affects XRCC5 gene expression, which probably protects subjects from Ostrava against the induction of a higher frequency of translocations; elevated vitamin C and E levels in the Ostrava subjects decrease the levels of 8-oxodG.

Abstract 4648: Biomarkers of exposure and effecft short-term vs. chronic environmental exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract Background. Ostrava Region in the Northern Moravia (Silesia) is the most polluted region in the Czech Republic by particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) as benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Sources of this pollution are industry (steel production, coke oven), traffic and local heating. In the most polluted district of Ostrava City Bartovice in the year 2009 was PM10 47.6±42.1 μg/m3, B[a]P was 9.2±4.2 ng/ m3. Objectives. The aim of the study is to gain new knowledge on the mechanisms of the effects of complex mixtures bound on dust particles (c-PAHs) in the ambient air on biomarkers of exposure and effect during the period of inversion in January-February 2010. Molecular epidemiology study. In the Ostrava City were selected 78 volunteers- working in the office, 31 city policemen from the near town Karvina, 12 city policemen from the near town Havirov, and 28 volunteers from Ostrava-Bartovice. As controls were city policemen from Prague (N=65). All volunteers were nonsmokers. The personal monitoring to c-PAHs was carried on in January-February 2010. The determined concentration of B[a]P was in the Ostrava region vs. Prague 14.8±13.3 vs. 2.80±1.87 ng/ m3. The impact of these concentration to biomarkers as DNA adducts, chromosomal aberrations, 8-oxodG, lipid peroxidation, genetic polymorphisms (metabolic and DNA repair genes) and gene expression profiles are followed. DNA adducts were analysed in lymphocytes by 32P-postlabeling assay, chromosomal aberrations by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) by whole chromosome painting #1 and #4, and by the determination of micronuclei, oxidative damage as 8-oxodG and 15-F2t-IsoP. Obtained results indicate no differences between the level of biomarkers determined in the Ostrava region and Prague. But different results were observed in four subjects from Prague, who spent 3 weeks in Ostrava during this inversion (exposed), compared to controls from Prague. Analyzing 6000 cells/subject, the frequency of micronuclei in exposed group increased from 7.96±4.92 to 12.91±6.49 MN/1000 vs. 8.32±1.63 and 8.47±1.55 MN/1000 in controls (p&amp;lt;0.05). Similar tendency was observed using FISH and analysing 5000 cells/subject, genomic frequency of translocations (FG/100) in exposed group increased from 1.44±0.66 to 2.44±1.82 FG/100 vs. 1.51±0.61 and 1.45±0.0.52 FG/100. Conclusion: We may speculate, that high environmental exposure to B[a]P does not correspond to DNA damage according to dose effect relationship in a population affected by these concentrations for years, probably due to a possible adaptive response. Acknowledgement: Supported by the Czech Ministry of Environment (SP/1b3/8/08) and the Czech Ministry Education (2B08005). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4648. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4648

DNA adducts and oxidative DNA damage induced by organic extracts from PM2.5 in an acellular assay

The genotoxic activities of complex mixtures of organic extracts from the urban air particles collected in various localities of the Czech Republic, which differed in the extent and sources of air pollution, were compared. For this purpose, PM2.5 particles were collected by high volume samplers in the most polluted area of the Czech Republic – Ostrava region (localities Bartovice, Poruba and Karvina) and in the locality exhibiting a low level of air pollution – Trebon – a small town in the non-industrial region of Southern Bohemia. To prepare extractable organic matter (EOM), PM2.5 particles were extracted by dichloromethane and c-PAHs contents in the EOMs were determined. As markers of genotoxic potential, DNA adduct levels and oxidative DNA damage (8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine, 8-oxodG, levels) induced by EOMs in an acellular assay of calf thymus DNA coupled with 32P-postlabeling (DNA adducts) and ELISA (8-oxodG) in the presence and absence of microsomal S9 fraction were employed. Twofold higher DNA adduct levels (17.20 adducts/10 8 nucleotides/m 3 vs. 8.49 adducts/10 8 nucleotides/m 3) were induced by EOM from Ostrava-Bartovice (immediate proximity of heavy industry) compared with that from Ostrava-Poruba (mostly traffic emissions). Oxidative DNA damage induced by EOM from Ostrava-Bartovice was more than fourfold higher than damage induced by EOM from Trebon (8-oxodG/10 8 dG/m 3: 0.131 vs. 0.030 for Ostrava-Bartovice vs. Trebon, respectively). Since PM2.5 particles collected in various localities differ with respect to their c-PAHs content, and c-PAHs significantly contribute to genotoxicity (DNA adduct levels), we suggest that monitoring of PM2.5 levels is not a sufficient basis to assess genotoxicity of respirable aerosols. It seems likely that the industrial emissions prevailing in Ostrava-Bartovice represent a substantially higher genotoxic risk than mostly traffic-related emissions in Ostrava-Poruba. B[a]P and c-PAH contents in EOMs are the most important factors relating to their genotoxic potential.

Bio-psycho-socio-environmentální koreláty zdravotně prospěšné pohybové aktivity dospělých obyvatel Ostravského regionu s využitím formální konceptuální analýzy

VÝCHODISKA: Optimální pohybová aktivita (PA) je vedle vyváženého stravování a lékařské péče jednou z klíčových determinant prevence nadváhy a obezity. Ačkoliv je Česká republika stále "chodeckou" společností, neuspokojivý nárůst obezity je zdrojem hledání biopsycho-sociálních determinant a korelátů zdravotně prospěšné PA nejen na celorepublikové, ale i regionální úrovni. Environmentální a ekonomické podmínky jednotlivých regionů České republiky mohou stimulovat nebo naopak inhibovat pravidelnou PA jejích obyvatel. CÍLE: Cílem této studie je analýzou výsledků ANEWS dotazníku aplikovaného v letech 2005-2009 najít bio-psycho-socio-environmentální koreláty zdravotně prospěšné pohybové aktivity dospělých obyvatel ostravského regionu. METODIKA: Pro zjišťování úrovně týdenní PA byla využita data randomizovaného souboru 820 obyvatel ostravského regionu (448 žen a 372 mužů) ve věku 40,65 &#177; 8,75 let, získaná aplikací ANEWS dotazníku v letech 2005-2009. Prostřednictvím sítě vysokoškolských studentů byla zajištěna distribuce administrativní české verze ANEWS dotazníku náhodně vybraným respondentům. Zdravotně prospěšná PA byla vymezena v souladu s celosvětově platnými doporučeními - minimálně 30 minut PA střední intenzity 5krát týdně nebo 20 minut PA vysoké intezity 3krát týdně (Haskell et al., 2007). Ke statistickému zpracování dat byla využita metoda Formální konceptuální analýzy. VÝSLEDKY: Ženy i muži s placeným zaměstnáním a aktivním transportem, resp. s nízkým sezením (&#8804; 4 hodiny denně) nebo vysoce intezivní PA (&#8805; 6 METs) s vyšší pravděpodobností (&#8805; 10 %) realizují zdravotně prospěšnou PA než ženy a muži bez placeného zaměstnání, s pasivním transportem, resp. s dlouhodobým sezením (&gt; 4 hodiny denně) či bez vysoce intenzivní PA. Věk, úroveň tělesné hmotnosti, kouření, účast v organizovaných formách PA či roční období a velikost místa bydliště nejsou významnými koreláty zdravotně prospěšné PA obyvatel ostravského regionu. ZÁVĚRY: Podpora zaměstnanosti, aktivního transportu a zachování "chodeckého" a "cyklistického" prostředí v ostravském regionu přináší mimo jiné i zdravotně prospěšnou realizaci PA.

Organized Labor and Restructuring: Coal Mines in the Czech Republic and Romania

We examine the role of organized labor in the restructuring experience of two coal mining regions in the 1990???s: Ostrava in the Czech Republic and the Jiu Valley region in Romania. Under similar external circumstances, the Ostrava region undertook gradual restructuring from early on whereas in Jiu Valley there was no restructuring until 1997, followed by massive layoffs over two years. We conduct a quantitative exercise that accounts for the mine productivity, the labor market conditions, and the constraints in compensating the laid-off miners. We show that the delay in restructuring in Jiu Valley was inefficient: gradual restructuring with compensation would have benefited both the miners and the government. The proximate reason for the delay was the Jiu Valley miners??? action against restructuring. We interpret their action in part as a behavioral pattern under a perceived threat to their livelihood. This accords with their history of militancy in contrast to Ostravian miners.

Changes and Particularities of Water Condition of the Ostravice River

Last year, urbanization and industrialization processes in the Ostrava region urgently brought in the necessity to build waterworks in the catchment area of the Ostravice River. From the head of the catchment downward, significant changes of dam streams occur; downstream, the influence of the industrial area also plays its role. At present, the daily, monthly and yearly flows are changing within the frame of flow regime control. The dam runoff control transfers a certain part of the runoff into the technological water circuit, which overpowered the natural rhythm of the daily flow in the snow melt period and changed the occurrence and duration of low-regime periods and floods. The impact on the temperature and ice conditions of the stream is effective in sections of dozens of kilometres long. Apart from the impact of dams, the lower course of the Ostravice is also affected by tempered effluent water. The extent of the hydrological regime changes alters the ecological characteristics of the river.

Development of the settlement system in the Ostrava agglomeration and possibilities of its restructuring

Large-scale coal-mining regions were showing specific settlement from the 19th century. The original typical system with towns as centres and their hinterlands was remodelled to a mosaic of coal pits, miner colonies (later housing quarters) and industrial factories interwoven with a dense web of infrastructure. The region of Ostrava is one of examples; here the mining of black coal linked up with the metallurgy of iron, heavy engineering and chemical industry. The region's economic base has experienced a restructuring in connexion with social changes after the year 1989 with individual towns seeking new functions and place in the system of settlement.

Search for a balance between changing requirements for benefits from the forest and its condition in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids (Czech Republic)

The forest area of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids is on the slopes of the most westerly range of mountains of the Carpathian System in the Czech Republic, the only site with specific growth conditions for the forest. The exceptional significance of the area consists on its role in ensuring the range of requirements for the functions of the forest for a large industrial agglomeration. In this area, the forests form a vitally important environment. The region has the natural appearance of a mountain landscape and a long and eventful history of forest use. The forest culture changed its original composition to the benefit of species highly valued in past centuries. Particularly dramatic were the changes which occurred in the course of the last 60 years. They occurred because of strong anthropic pressure and within a very short period of time as far as the life of a forest is concerned. The demands of the society concerning other benefits of the forest, especially the protection of water resources for a new industrial agglomeration with extensive housing areas in the Ostrava region in the northern foothills, were gradually increasing with the growing problem of air pollution. Since the 1950s, local forestry has been facing new and unusual problems related to forest policy and the multifunctional use of the forest. In order to ensure forest functions, new solutions must be sought in terms of forest management and particularly in terms of silvicultural methods,which have to be sufficiently flexible to efficiently respond to environmental changes and to a possible shift in the demands placed on the forest. The present forest management systems are based on the principles of sustainable forestry, i.e.,on the principles of ecologically justified silviculture.

The use of the Microtox system for evaluation of toxicity of the wastes in Vítkovice Steelworks, Ostrava (Czechoslovakia)

Ostrava's Industrial Agglomeration is one of the most polluted areas in Czechoslovakia due to an enormous production of wastes and wastewaters from both industry and municipal sources. As most of the wastes are deposited in the environment in a very simple way (usually in landfills) they may cause negative environmental effects and represent a serious hazardous factor for the surroundings. Complex legislative regulations on waste treatment with respect to environmental protection are currently accepted. Many data on the character of produced and deposited wastes which are necessary for classification of wastes are, however, missing. Rapid and reliable estimates of biological effects of wastes were made in one of the biggest steelwork enterprises which belongs to the most significant producers of wastes in the Ostrava region. Typical wastes which are produced in the greatest amount were selected and the leachates of the wastes were tested using the microbial toxicity test, Microtox. The results contribute to a monitoring programme for evaluation of environmental quality.

The degradation of the forest soil in the central part of the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts

The author shows on the example of several river basins that the erosive processes in the central part of the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts, North Moravia, depend not only on the natural conditions, but also on the human activities, especially the using of heavy forest tractors. In the future the growing erosion and sedimentation will endanger the production of drinking water in the Ostrava region.

The Map as Means of Expressing of Human Influence on the Environment

The author deals with the classification of thematic maps presenting the quality of the environment according S. Lesczycki (Poland). That classification was used by the Geographical Institute of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences to the creation of maps expressing the influence of human activity on the environment in the region of Ostrava. One of them, a complete (synthetic) map in colour, is attached as an enclosure to that article.